• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

SF David Lighty (Most Career Buckeye Wins, ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket - France)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
Last year's Ohio State men's basketball seniors happy with this team's success: NCAA Tournament East Regional Notebook
Published: Saturday, March 24, 2012
By Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer

Hey to the seniors: David Lighty picked the Buckeyes to win the national title as part of The Plain Dealer's Celebrity Bracket Challenge, so we know he had confidence in this team. Or at least loyalty to them.

Last year's Ohio State team lost five fewer games in the regular season and probably would beat this version of the Buckeyes head-to-head (wouldn't you like to see Lighty guard this version of Deshaun Thomas?) so at least a little bit of the success of this young team has to be taken as a nod toward what didn't get done last season. Ohio State may have been the best team in the country in 2011 and lost to Kentucky in the Sweet 16.

"I know those guys are proud," OSU coach Thad Matta said of Lighty, Jon Diebler and Dallas Lauderdale, his seniors a year ago. "I think they knew this team had it in them. I think they knew this team had a lot of work to do. I know that wherever they are, they're happy."

Before he took himself off Twitter in the middle of the season, Jared Sullinger said he had received messages of encouragement from Lighty and Lauderdale. But all that revelation seemed to do was hurt Thomas' feelings.

"Dang," Thomas said with a laugh. "Nobody texted me. But I'm sure they're happy for us."
Click to expand...

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2012/03/last_years_ohio_state_mens_bas.html
 
Upvote 0
David Lighty's gone, but 'Mama' Lighty remains close to Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team
Published: Saturday, March 31, 2012
By Jodie Valade, The Plain Dealer

10777613-large.jpg

John Kuntz, Plain Dealer file photo
Emily Lighty gives her son, David, a hug during last year's NCAA Tournament after Ohio State's victory over George Mason. David Lighty is now playing pro ball in Europe, but his mother remains close to the current team's players.

CLEVELAND, Ohio ? A year has passed since David Lighty last took the court for Ohio State. The Villa Angela-St. Joseph product, who went on to star for the Buckeyes, now plays pro basketball for Vanoli-Braga Cremona in Italy.

He has moved on, moved an ocean away.

But his mother, Emily Lighty, is as close to these Buckeyes as she was with any of the players in the five years her son attended OSU.

All season, she has stayed in close contact with this group of Buckeyes. She sent food from her mother -- Grandma Lighty -- when she could; she attended OSU's Senior Night for William Buford; she jokes around with Lenzelle Smith Jr. and his mom often.

"There were so many great groups of guys that came through, but this is just such a special group," Emily Lighty said. "That group of guys was the best, most sweet and respectful and kindest group of young men of all the years I was there. I became pretty fond of all of them."

They call her "Mama," a nod to the mutual respect the players share. And it's that family bond that Emily Lighty is certain helped the Buckeyes in advancing to the Final Four this season, even without her son on the squad.

"It's a testament to the group of guys that they are, that they hit some adversity and pulled together as a family, and made this happen," Emily Lighty said. "The family that plays together stays together, and they're a group that has done just that."

cont...
Click to expand...

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2012/03/david_lightys_gone_but_mama_li.html
 
Upvote 0
1:20 mark....

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oje2UvPieOQ"]La Top Ten della 34a giornata - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTF_l9T1-wA"]Jason Rich + David Lighty, clutch players in Cremona - YouTube[/ame]
 
Upvote 0
Upvote 0
Tryout with the Cleveland Cavaliers a welcome opportunity for former Buckeye David Lighty
Published: Wednesday, June 13, 2012
By Mary Schmitt Boyer, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- David Lighty has dreamed of playing in the NBA since he was 6 years old, playing in his Cleveland backyard and launching a jumper as he counted down, "3-2-1..."

Now, with workouts scheduled with several NBA teams, including the Cavs on June 28, the 6-5 swingman from Ohio State is as close as he ever has been to reaching that goal. But it's not just for him. He wants to make the NBA to please his mom, Emily.

"That's one of my goals -- to get her to see me play more," Lighty said in a telephone interview Tuesday night.

How much would his mother love it if he wound up playing for the Cavs?

"'Love' would be an understatement," Lighty said, laughing. "That's big for her. She came to Italy and saw me play last year and told me, 'I just miss seeing you play.' Being back here would make that possible."

Lighty, who was not drafted last year, spent the season in Italy. He averaged 7.5 points and 15.3 minutes in eight games with Bennet Cantu. Seeking more playing time, he averaged 10.7 points and 30.9 minutes in 23 games with Vanoli. He returned to Cleveland on May 12, and now is working toward having a chance to stay.

He just got back from working out for the San Antonio Spurs, will visit the Indiana Pacers on June 21 and then the Cavs on June 28. He also may work out for Atlanta, or possibly go to the summer league with Atlanta. The summer league was cancelled last year because of the NBA lockout.

Instead of waiting to see what might happen, Lighty opted to play overseas, a decision he does not regret.

"I enjoyed it, a great experience for me -- like a paid-for vacation," said Lighty, who traveled to France, Spain and Turkey while he was overseas. "I got to see things I always read about or saw pictures of, and play the game that I love. I had a great experience and got better as well.

"Guys sit in the paint, there's no three seconds, so you've got to learn how to create your own shot and create for others -- a lot of ball screening and you've got to knock your shot down when you're open. You don't get too many layups."

cont...
Click to expand...

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2012/06/tryout_with_the_cleveland_cava.html

VASJ grad Lighty will work out for Cavaliers
Published: Tuesday, June 12, 2012
By Bob Finnan
[email protected]
@BobCavsinsider

The Cavaliers have dipped into the talent pool in the Cleveland area to take a look at a local player.

They will work out Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School and Ohio State graduate David Lighty "later this month," his mother confirmed on Tuesday.

Lighty, 24, played for Cremona, Italy, last season and averaged 10.7 points and shot 33 percent from 3-point range.

He is a free agent. The Cavs are looking for help at shooting guard with the expected retirement of Anthony Parker.

"He's pursuing some other opportunities stateside," Emily Lighty said of her son.

Lighty worked out for San Antonio last weekend. He has another workout planned with Indiana.

The 6-foot-6, 216-pounder has the opportunity to return to Cremona next season after he extinguishes all hope of joining an NBA team. He would be eligible to play in the National Basketball Development League, but generally players can earn more money playing in Europe.

Emily Lighty was in Italy for her son's last game of the season.

"It was beautiful," she said.
Click to expand...

http://news-herald.com/articles/2012/06/12/sports/nh5604048.txt
 
Upvote 0
I caught up with David Lighty the other day about his role in the Cleveland-vs.Columbus game July 7 in St. John Arena. While we chatted, I also asked him about his prospects of catching on with an NBA summer league team next month.

"I definitely plan to be with a team in July," said Lighty, who played his first professional season in Italy.

He has had, or has scheduled, workouts with three NBA teams so far. He was in San Antonio for a minicamp last weekend, has a workout in Indianapolis with the Pacers on June 21, and has one scheduled in his hometown with the Cavaliers on June 28, the day of the NBA draft.

Two separate summer leagues will host entries from NBA teams in July. The Orlando Summer League is July 5-9 and has eight teams participating. The Las Vegas Summer League is July 9-18 and has 22 teams.
Click to expand...

http://www.buckeyextra.com/content/...2/06/06-13-12-lighty-and-some-loose-ends.html

David Lighty radio interview- Cleveland radio 6 14 12
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
?I was in Italy last season, in two places actually, Cantu and Carmona,? Lighty said. ?They were both Northern Italy, 30 minutes from Milan. The first couple months were a little rough for me, getting used to the language and the style of play overseas, but then I started getting the hang of it. I was really able to show what I could do on the court after that.?

As a player, Lighty used his first season as a professional to improve all areas of his game, with a focus on the offensive end.

?I was working on getting better overall, and then on my offensive game particularly,? Lighty said of his time in Italy last season. ?Being more aggressive, being more assertive, which is also what my team wanted me do. Penetrate a lot, get a lot of free throws, create opportunities for my teammates to make shots. Overseas there?s no three seconds, so the paint?s always clogged up. I learned more about making the smart play with people in front of you, the right decision. That?s something they always say Europeans are real good at and I was really able to see and understand why they?re so good at it.?

Since returning to the States, Lighty has been generating substantial interest around the NBA. He?s worked out for a number of teams, and will be headed to Vegas Summer League following the game this weekend.

?I?ve been working out for five teams,? Lighty said. ?Coming up with Summer League Vegas, I?m going to be with Phoenix. I was going to play with Atlanta, but after their recent trade they brought in three wing players, or three guards. So my agent and I decided to play with Phoenix. I had a couple Cavs workouts, Pacers, Spurs, Hawks, and then Phoenix as well. Those teams are interested in me, and I?m just going to keep working, proving myself everyday, and hopefully get signed.?
Click to expand...

?He?s a great locker room guy,? Turner said of Lighty. ?He?s a great leader, he works really hard, and he does what he?s asked. But the most important thing is he?s a competitor. He?s everything you look for in a player. Once coaches understand that, they?re going to understand his value. He?s a great guy, and he is an NBA player.?
Click to expand...

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2012/07/bragging-rights/
 
Upvote 0
David Lighty set for NBA Summer League with Phoenix
By Andrew Holleran
[email protected]
UpdatedSaturday, July 7, 2012

David Lighty took part in the Ohio Homecoming ?Battle for Ohio? charity basketball game on Saturday, but the competition that the former Ohio State star is really focused on starts next weekend.

A five-year player at OSU, Lighty will be a member of the Phoenix Suns' summer league team this month in Las Vegas. After not being selected in the 2011 NBA Draft, Lighty did not have the chance to participate in the league?s summer circuit last year due to the lockout.

One of only four players in OSU history to amass more than 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists in a career, Lighty said he hopes to showcase the versatility he displayed as a Buckeye to NBA scouts this summer.

?I pretty much can do a lot of everything,? Lighty said. ?I?m not one-dimensional. If you need me to rebound, I?ll rebound. If you need me to score, I?ll score. If you need me to play defense, I?ll play defense.?

Above all, though, Lighty said he wants to bring a winning mentality into every game he plays in this summer.

?Just come out and play, man. Do whatever I got to do to help the team win, that?s what I?m all about,? he said.

cont...
Click to expand...

http://www.thelantern.com/sports/da...er-league-with-phoenix-1.2880064#.T_l5lfXpWuM

12-07-07-MB-0144.jpg


http://photo.the-ozone.net/details....2&ReturnPageNumber=2&RowCount=1&PageNumber=18
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Rounding out the trio of OSU stars hoping to attract attention from NBA teams is Lighty, who is also returning from Europe where he began his career with Vanoli-Braga Cremona of the Italian League.

Lighty will play with the Phoenix Suns this summer and, like Lauderdale and Diebler, he said he?s just trying to do whatever it takes to achieve NBA success.

?I pretty much can do a lot of everything,? Lighty said. ?I?m not one-dimensional. If you need me to rebound, I?ll rebound. If you need me to score, I?ll score. If you need me to play defense, I?ll play defense.?

Lighty, a guard, could figure to be involved in a favorable situation in Phoenix considering a recent trade by the Suns that sent former two-time league MVP Rick Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers. Lighty have to battle six other guards on Phoenix?s summer roster.
Click to expand...

http://www.thelantern.com/sports/tr...s-in-nba-summer-league-1.2880257#.T_3GgvXpWuM
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top